Mark Delaney believes Villa need around 14 points from six games if they are to creep into the UEFA Cup places.

Mark Delaney believes Villa need around 14 points from six games if they are to creep into the UEFA Cup places.

But the Welsh international admits the club's current inconsistencies are threatening any kind of push on the top seven.

Delaney says maximum points are needed at Southampton on Saturday and hopes Villa can reproduce the kind of performance that saw off Newcastle and had Albion on the rack in the first half.

He said: "We can't afford to slip up in any of our six games left. If we want to get into Europe we have to win four of the six and get another couple of draws.

"It's inconsistencies from us again. If we play as we did at Newcastle, and in the first half against West Brom, then anything is still very possible - if not, then we are going to be making things difficult for ourselves."

With Liam Ridgewell suspended and Olof Mellberg injured, Delaney is likely to switch to the centre of defence after two games in his customary right-back role following two months out through injury.

Ridgewell had initially taken over the position from Delaney at Chelsea on Boxing Day and the latter has some sympathy for the 20-year-old following his red card against the Baggies.

He said: "He's done extremely well this season. It was an unfortunate incident and one that I'm sure he will put quickly behind him.

"He's not a nasty player, it was one of those things that can blow up in a derby but the lads are all behind him.

"We want to see him come back even stronger."

Delaney insists he wants to put his contract dispute with the club on the back burner after Villa refused to offer him fresh terms. He said: "I want to concentrate on football now. I 'asked' about a new contract, I didn't 'demand' one.

"The manager said there is nothing doing, so I've forgotten about it.

"The club say I have two years left. I haven't. I've got one until they exercise the option and I think I was well within my rights to request an extension to try to secure my long-term future with Villa.

"But the club made it very clear they are not interested.

"Now all I want to do is keep my mind on the next six games and try and get us into Europe."

Delaney is looking forward to the encounter with Peter Crouch at St Mary's: "He was a good young player at Villa. We always knew that he had the talent.

"He's a lovely lad and had to move to find regular football but he's proved to everybody that he has what it takes at the highest level."